I know we’re into using imaging to rule out everything nowadays, but it seems like if history is consistent with tinnitus (noise exposure, some high frequency hearing loss) and no unilateral signs/symptoms that the odds of it being anything serious are pretty close to nil. Should an audiologist be able to make the call if seeing an ENT is warranted?
I don’t refer for bilateral tinnitus if there are no other red flags.
As per the original question, yes tinnitus can go away on its own. Given the anxious tone of the initial post, though, I think a bit of outside help is in order. In Toronto, I’d recommend calling the Canadian Hearing Society. They have some great audiologists at that clinic, and I know some of them manage tinnitus.
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I’m having my first real bout with tinnitus, which I think was actually brought on by Celexa, the drug that I take in concert with another anti-depression drug to help both depression and anxiety. Apparently people with Meniere’s can have reactions to Celexa. Have been having earaches for a few months, but after years of no Meniere’s symptoms other than my hearing loss, it didn’t really occur to me that the earaches might be a return of the Meniere’s.
I am not thrilled at the notion of having to stop the Celexa, but I’m not sure that piling more drugs on top of it is the way to go.
(This also isn’t really what I thought tinnitus would sound like–mine sounds exactly like one of the tones in an audiology test. )
In reference to the original question: it depends. You really need to be evaluated by an audiologist and possibly ENT if he/she deems a referral necessary. If this came about suddenly, ask your PCP for a referral to an ENT who will then have you see an audiologist for a hearing eval. What other symptoms are you experiencing? You say you think you have hearing loss. Was this sudden? Was it brought about by any other recent health changes or new medications? Are you experiencing any dizziness? Seeing a specialist will narrow down the cause and hopefully help eliminate some of your anxiety. Keep in mind that anxiety about tinnitus causes tinnitus to become worse, which then creates more anxiety–thus, a loop begins. Until you have a definitive diagnosis, don’t allow yourself to assume the worst. Tinnitus is almost never the result of anything life-threatening. Take a few deep breaths. Go see someone to figure this thing out. There are plenty of us out there who can help. Tinnitus can be managed.
Mine is ~1375 Hz tone, not quite pure. Tinnitus comes in all sorts of different sounds though. What did you think it would sound like?
Well, “ringing” made me think it would sound like church bells or a phone or something. 
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Mine is mostly a hiss that resolves to a tone of around 8-ish khz maybe a little lower tone now…I’m not sure. More in the left than the right but noticeable both sides anyway. Sometimes I get sounds appearing at a lower frequency for a brief time and then goes away.
There was a site somewhere that had simulations of what people get for it and there were some that throbbed rhythmically and other awful sounds. At least mine’s just one general sound.
I’m a weirdo. I like my tinnitus. It sounds like a hot summer’s night. I have cicadas, crickets, peepers, and katydids all singing along. It comforts me.
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It really helps to try to ignore or live with it as @sweet points out his coping mechanism.
While I was experiencing Meniere’s, I could tell when an attack was pending from the tinnitus ramping up. With hearing aids, I have no tinnitus. It took a while to kick in but it is gone. Unfortunately, the other effect it brought into my life are still present. My WRS dropped a lot. Clarity is lessened. Some people I just can’t understand. Balance is affected. But, I still have a good life and you can have that too. It finding acceptance of new limits and working to use them to your best benefit.
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I am suffering tinnitus problem since a long time. But I didn’t get the best solution to protect and cure. Could anyone tell me the best suggestion regarding this?
Hi I’ve only just joined this forum and really informative. Now in 40s I’ve had a thorough assassment by NHS and just fitted with 2 aids so have been grateful to be able to talk with people who give their opinions and often advice as these are the ones who really know
Tinnitus is annoying and I really empathise with people who develop it having never experienced it. I didn’t know till was an adult that not everyone has it as I’ve had all my life. I thought this loud high pitch continuous buzzing sound was normal as it a was part of me. I questioned my hearing as a young adult as watching tv and the cinema has always been difficult and could never keep up. I don’t stress over it cos it’s normal for me and now have been told I have moderate/severe loss of hearing which prob from birth I’m satisfied and some mysteries from growing up solved. Mine ain’t going anywhere but I’ve done some research. It seems there is a good percentage of people who have experience the onset of tinnitus and it’s gradually gone or else they have bouts of it so it just comes and goes or is maybe triggered every so often after being in a loud place. It’s a difficult one it seems but you should get your hearing checked as often there could be a solution and may not be permenant but do get it checked. My surgery sent me away several times saying it was probably wax or stress and wasn’t sent for tests and somehow was never checked when young. I realise now why I’ve always struggled but somehow coped and had my own kinda language I can usually understand but the aids have been a revelation. As far as the tinnitus goes I leave the to on or play music if it’s really loud as sometimes it’s like a siren and can cheese me off a bit sometimes. Seek medical advice though as we are all different. Hope you get something stored 
Sorry just wanted to say that I was disappointed with the lack of concern from the medics when I went as they said all looked healthy. I went on several occasions when a bout of sudden deafness and screaming head was taking longer (up to a week) to go. As it always returned back to my norm it was never investigated but as was now in my 20s I wasn’t happy. The tinnitus did annoy but once I realised that it was here to stay I kinda made friends with it and just accepted. I’d probably go into mourning if it suddenly disappeared cos it seems it’s from birth as my audiology chart shows more hearing loss at mid levels (I don’t mean to be flippant but it’s made life easier to treat as just part of my unique self). However if any loss of hearing is diagnosed then maybe it’s just a symptom and i know that for many the tinnitus does just come and go and don’t stay at really annoying levels. Mine gets whole lot louder when the noise is loud out there like as though competing with external sounds and can always hear it over everything. I went to Rolling Stones concert few nights ago standing right by stage. Oh boy did my friend fight back but at the point I was about to pull head off it gradually went back to my comfort level. If it is a permanaent fixture in your life it is important you get to understand it and accept. Self help n mindfulness didn’t do it for me but others it helped. Hopefully for you it may not be a constant thing and perhaps go completely or else come visit now and again. We have not got total control so sometimes it is acceptable but I’ll push again the importance to get checked for any concerns you have now or in future if and when they happen. Our senses kinda help us make sense of and also enjoy our world and life so it’s good to look after what we’ve got. I was a bit late in life but plenty years to come. Good luck😻
I have the tumour that you reference. If you have ringing in both ears it is almost certainly not an acoustic neuroma. If you have a hearing test, it would also show significant asymmetry. In Ont you’ll get to see an audiologist faster than an ENT so that would be my first stop if I were worried about an AN.
Somehow I want to treat my tinnitus problem. Its very bad experience in my life. I always feel very bad when is the problem is coming? First time in my life I have broken my strength and encourage of my life. So I need to cure my tinnitus problem soon.
On its own, possibly but unlikely.
Often it goes away after wearing aids for a while. Worked for me.
There are white tone generators that can help. Tinnitus seems to be strongest in the quiet.
If you have aids that feed directly from your phone, there are white noise programs from various sources. The Resound one is one of the better one.
It can also be used with ear buds.
No, tinnitus is not a curable. We can prevent the tinnitus by using the right earplugs. I have been using a earplugs from Big Ear Inc. I have gathered a lot of info by reading their blog.
I have surgical bi-lateral hearing loss, and I have had tinnitus so long I cannot remember when I did not have it. Ergo, my tinnitus has nothing to do with “hearing.” To me, anyway, trying to treat tinnitus as if it were an audiological phenomenon is a total scam. I am going to follow up with my ENT to see if anti-depressants can modify it, or at least get it sychronized.
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This condition is not easy. I agree with you and same with everyone, you really need to consult a professional Hearing Aid Audiologist. At first, an audiologist will examine your ears, head and neck. I hope you’re doing okay now.
I am happy to share this article, “5 Prevention and Remedies that you can do in Reducing Tinnitus”.
Hi Florence. First, I want to let you know that everything will be OK. I have had Tinnitus for about 10 years now. When it first started I was very anxious about it. I could not sleep or concentrate - it was all consuming. I tried everything to make the noise go away including taking all kinds of pills - ultimately none of that worked and I ended up wasting many weeks waiting for the “medication” to work. I ended up finding an audiologist who recommended Neuromonics which I tried as a last resort. And it worked!! Not by making the noise go away but by training my brain to essentially ignore the sound. It took a little time but ultimately relief was at hand. And the good news for you is that today it is far easier to find Neuromonics-type solutions including a number of downloadable apps…Just keep in mind that those won’t be as customized for your specific Tinnitus sound. I know what you are going through so please give this a try. Also, be careful with your ears. I have spikes in ringing volume from time to time caused by allergies, loud noises and stress (which I actually have now, lol). If you have this just know that it will settle back down in time. We would all love a cure but in the meantime you can live a perfectly happy life even with the ringing. I promise! Hang in there. It will get better!
can you cite your source for this statement ?